Post lantern for attachment to structural support member

ABSTRACT

A post lantern for a structural support column fixed at one end to a base and at the other end to a support channel or the like. The lantern is formed with a housing including two symetrical sections. The sections each include complementary base sections provided with cut-outs which clampingly embrace the column. Each of the sections of the lantern includes upstanding corner posts, and connecting angles are used to secure the sections together and to clamp the lantern about the column. In house construction the lantern effectively disguises the appearance of an ordinary girder supporting post by converting it into an attractive decorative lamp.

United States Patent Dec.4, 1973 POST LANTERN FOR ATTACHMENT TO STRUCTURAL SUPPORT MEMBER [76] Inventor: I. Harold Metzler, 3129 Garfield Ave., Highland, 1nd. 46322 22 Filed: June 23,1972

21 Appl. No.2 265,578

De Vos 240/25 X Winters 240/25 Primary Examiner-John M. Horan Assistant ExaminerE. M. Bero AttorneySabin C. Bronson [5 7 ABSTRACT A post lantern for a structural support column fixed at one end to a base and at the other end to a support channel or the like. The lantern is formed with a housing including two symetrical sections. The sections each include complementary base sections provided with cut-outs which clampingly embrace the column. Each of the sections of the lantern includes upstanding corner posts, and connecting angles are used to secure the sections together and to clamp the lantern about the column. In house construction the lantern effectively disguises the appearance of an ordinary girder supporting post by converting it into an attractive decorative lamp.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures POST LANTERN FOR ATTACHMENT TO STRUCTURAL SUPPORT MEMBER The present invention relates to light fixtures and more particularly to an improved post lantern adapted for attachment to a structural support column which is fixed at its opposite ends between flooring and a ceiling.

Basements of homes are frequently converted to game or family rooms. Problems are encountered with decorating the support columns which support the upper structural framing or girders. These vertical columns are fixed between the floor and the member which it is supporting so that access over either end of the column is difficult. The columns provide an excellent support for lighting fixtures. However, because the ends of the column are not accessible, difficulties are encountered in attaching a lighting fixture thereto.

By the present invention it is proposed to provide a lighting fixture construction preferably in the form of a post lantern for attachment to the vertical structural support column.

This is accomplished by a post lantern comprising a plurality of symmetrical housing sections each having a section of a base. The base sections are each provided with complementary cut-outs which clampingly embrace the column. The lantern further includes corner frame posts along the abutting edges of the sections. Tie strips fasten these corner posts together to assemble the lantern and clamp the lantern to the column.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing forming part of this application and wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective viewof the upper end of a support column having a post lantern embodying the structure of the present invention mounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of Each frame section l212 includes a horizontal base section 13 which in the embodiment shown is an isosceles triangle of which the hypothenuse abuts the other opposing hypothenuse of the other base section. Each of the base sections is formed with a semi-circular cut-out so that the sections embrace the column 10. A semi-circular attachment band 14 is fixed to the underside of the base section 13. A screw or bolt 16 is threaded into the band for threading into the column 10 so that the lantern is held in position.

Projecting upwardly from opposing corners of each of the frame or housing sections 12-l2 is a pair of spaced angles 1'717 between which the edges of the glass panes 18-18 are disposed. The opposing and abutting corners of the frame sections are provided with channels 19'l9 between which the opposite edges of the glass panes 18 are disposed.

The top wall sections 2l2l may be supported on the post 10. The top wall sections 21-21 may also be formed as isosceles triangles and formed with semicircular cut-outs. The top wall may support light sockets 22 in which the bulbs are inserted.

A roof 23 is supported on the top wall 21 of each of the sections 1212. The roof 23 is also formed with semi-circular ends which are disposed about the post 10 as shown.

Horizontal top and bottom cross pieces 24 and 26 extend between the adjacent angle posts 17 and channel posts 19. Angle shaped fastening strips overlying the posts 19' at the respective corners are fastened as by screws 27 to the cross pieces 24 and 26. In this manner the housing sections 12-12 are clampingly held about I the column 10. Angle members 3131 are used to the the lantern shown in FIG. 1 with some of the parts broken away to show underlying details.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the lantern fram'e' sections prior to being clamped to the support column.

FIG. 5 is a cr'osssectiona'l view taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 2. i

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings there is shown a vertical support column 10 to which the post lantern 11 embodying the structure of the present invention is attached. The column 10 is made from structural steel and is usually fastened to the concrete floor of the basement. The upper end is fixed to a structural support beam so as to impart support thereto. Usually there are a number of such vertical support columns 10 in a basement. As mentioned briefly hereinbefore, these columns create a decorating problem especially since basements are frequently enclosed by wall paneling to create recreation rooms and the like and in which these columns stand out as being out of place.

By the present invention the columns are left substantially intact, and are used also as posts for the lanterns 11. As shown the lanterns 11 includes two symmetrical frame sections 12-l2. Since each of the frame sections 12-12 are symmetrical only one section will be described.

roof sections 23-23 in place.

Each of the sections 12l2 maybe provided with concave light reflective sheets 32 extending arcuately between the angles 17 and 19. The light reflective sheets may be made from aluminum foil or similar material having a mirror finish. The foil sheets are placed around the post 10 within the lantern and within the light source, thereby causing a myriad of facets to reflect the light from the light source outwardly at-a great number of angles producing a very pleasing effect, and at thesame time completely obscuring that portion of the postwithin the lamp fixture.

It is obvious from the above that by my invention I have utilized what would otherwise be an obnoxious structural member in'a beautiful family room or lounge and converted it to function also as the pedestal of a floor lamp, thus fitting in perfectly with the decor of the newly created area of the home. The structural function of the post is completely obliterated, by causing it to appear as the standard of an artistic floor lamp. The post thus performs a double function.

Although only a preferred embodimentof the invention has been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minor vatiations may be made in the lantern structure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A light fixture for attachment to a column, said fixture comprising substantially symmetrical housing sections, said housing sections each having a cut-out so as to removably embrace the column, framing means on said housing sections including means located so as to be in substantially abutting relation when said housing sections embrace said column, means spanning said substantially abutting means for assembling said housing sections together about said column, top wall sections supported on said framing means, and light sockets mounted on said top wall sections for positioning around said column.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame means comprises a pair of channels for accommodating the edges of panes of glass.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing sections each include a base section and wherein cut-outs are formed on each of said housing sections so as to embrace said column.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing section includes light reflecting sheet means light outwardly at a variety of angles.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 777 138 Dated December 197% Inventor(s) I. EABQIQ MEIZER It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2,- line 57.,"va'tiations" sh0ul i be vfl tions Column 2, line33, after "to" in egggigigl ngtainat- Column line 5, "lantern removable? should be mm veble lantern Signed and sealed this 7th day of May 197g.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD I LFIETCIERJR. G MARSHALL DANN Attescing Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-1050 (10-69) I USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 1* U. 5 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I969 0-366-3Sl 

1. A light fixture for attachment to a column, said fixture comprising substantially symmetrical housing sections, said housing sections each having a cut-out so as to removably embrace the column, framing means on said housing sections including means located so as to be in substantially abutting relation when said housing sections embrace said column, means spanning said substantially abutting means for assembling said housing sections together about said column, top wall sections supported on said framing means, and light sockets mounted on said top wall sections for positioning around said column.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame means comprises a pair of channels for accommodating the edges of panes of glass.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing sections each include a base section and wherein cut-outs are formed on each of said housing sections so as to embrace said column.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing section includes light reflecting sheet means disposed between the column and inner side of said light sockets.
 5. The combination with a structural column fixed at the opposite ends thereof between two spaced surfaces, of a lantern removable housing comprising two separate symmetrical housing sections embracing said column, and removable means attaching said housing sections together and to said column, so that said lantern housing is attached to said column light fixtures within said housing for positioning around said column, concave reflector means within the lantern housing between the column and the light fixtures to reflect the light outwardly at a variety of angles. 